critical thinking

Question 1

assertions

Answer 1

statements which are made without providing any supporting evidence or justification. may turn out to be true or untrue

Question 2

argument

Answer 2

Using reasons to support a point of
view, so that known or unknown audiences may
be persuaded to agree. An argument may
include disagreement, but is more than simply
disagreement if it is based on reasons.

Question 3

Argument - the overall argument

Answer 3

The overall
argument presents the author’s position. It is
composed of contributing arguments, or
reasons. The term ‘line of reasoning’ is used to
refer to a set of reasons, or contributing
arguments, structured to support the overall
argument.

Question 4

arguments - contributing arguments

Answer 4

Individual reasons are referred to as arguments

or ‘contributing arguments’.

Question 5

conclusion

Answer 5

Reasoning should lead towards an
end point, which is the conclusion. The
conclusion should normally relate closely to the
author’s main position. In critical thinking, a
conclusion is usually a deduction drawn from
the reasons, or evidence.

Question 6

Conclusion - intermediate conclusions

Answer 6

The
author may draw interim conclusions during the
course of an argument, before arriving at final
conclusions. Each interim conclusion is based
on only some of the evidence or a particular set
of reasons. These intermediate conclusions may
be used to provide evidence or to serve as
reasons, in the next stage of the argument.

Question 7

Consistency - internal consistency

Answer 7

An
argument is inte7nally consistent when all parts of
the line of reasoning contribute to the
conclusion. Nothing then contradicts or
undermines the main message. An argument
may be internally consistent but still be
inconsistent in other respects, such as not being
consistent with the evidence or with the
opinions of experts in the field.

Question 8

Consistency - logical consistency

Answer 8

An
argument is logically consistent when the
reasons are provided in a logical manner - that
is, in the best order, with each linked to
previous or following arguments so as to build
up a case. A logically consistent argument will
be internally consistent. In a logically consistent
argument, the reasons support the conclusion.

Question 9

Line of reasoning

Answer 9

The line of reasoning is
established through the order in which reasons
and evidence are presented. This order should
make it clear to the reader how the argument is
to be interpreted and what the structure of the
argument is. The line of reasoning should lead
forwards with a clear direction, with one piece
of reasoning leading in an obvious way to the
next, rather than hopping from one point to
another in a random way, or leading the
audience round in circles.

Question 10

logical order

Answer 10

Good arguments present reasons
and evidence in a structured way, so that
information builds on what has already been
said. See ‘line of reasoning’ above.

Question 11

position

Answer 11

A point of view, supported by

reasoning.

Question 12

predicate

Answer 12

The foundation of the argument;
the aims of the argument; an underlying point
of view; the assumption that underlies the
argument. For example: the argument was predicated on a Marxist interpretation of wealth; the
progrnmine was predicated on the asszltnption that
the prisoner was innocent

Question 13

premises

Answer 13

Propositions believed to be true and
used as the bases for the argument; the basic
building blocks for the argument. Premises that
are not well-founded are referred to as false
premises.

Question 14

proposition

Answer 14

Statements believed to be true
and presented as arguments or reasons for
consideration by the audience. A proposition
may turn out to be true or false

Question 15

reasons

Answer 15

The contributing arguments put
forward to support the overalI argument or line
of reasoning

Question 16

reasons - independent reasons

Answer 16

The author
may use several reasons to support the
conclusion, each of which may be valid in its
own right but may have nothing to do with the
other reasons given.

Question 17

reasons - joint reasons

Answer 17

The reasons provided
to support an argument when they are
connected in some way and mutually reinforce
each other.

Question 18

salience

Answer 18

‘Salient’ simply means ‘relevant to

the argument

Question 19

substantive point

Answer 19

The central point that is
being made, or the core of the argument. This
expression is used to focus attention on the
main point, especially if an argument has been
diverted towards more minor issues and when
the key message is becoming obscured.

Question 20

tautology

Answer 20

Unnecessary repetition, when the
author makes the same point but in different
words. For example, in poor arguments, a
tautology may be used to make it appear as if
there are two reasons to support a conclusion,
when the first reason has merely been
reproduced in a different way.